The locals have invested the money old Russians and Germans bring to its city rather well, and although under some construction, you could see it was and is absolutely beautiful. Somewhat like a Hollywood set, the designer shops and river running through it seem almost too well designed and 'manicured' in place.

And the reason this joint is so cashed-up? The natural thermal springs they feature in such abundance. I thought these were the types you lounge around in when deciding to head here, but in fact they were the drinking kind. Not quite as cool, but an open-mind was kept.

How where they originally found? A former King hunting through the grounds lost one of his dogs in a spring and realised that these were all around.

What’s the point of it all? The locals have convinced one-too-many people that drinking the stuff is therapeutic for all sorts of pain and ailments.

How did we rate it? It tastes as if that poor little hound all those years ago is still in the water supply. The stuff comes out of the taps at anywhere between 20-65 degrees depending where along the springs trail you are. What doesn’t change is the horrible metallic, almost salt-water like taste, the tourists fawning over it and the over-priced mugs used to drink the stuff. We brought our own – Lime green and from Ikea – a hit with the more serious spring drinkers around us.